Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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evergreen garden trees

Evergreen garden trees bring life and beauty to your landscape all year round. With their lush foliage and architectural shapes, they create a welcoming outdoor space that doesn’t fade with the seasons. Whether you’re seeking privacy, shade, or simply want to add visual interest to your garden, evergreen trees are an excellent choice for New Zealand conditions. This guide explores the best evergreen garden trees, their uses, and how they can transform your property into a green sanctuary.

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ is a compact, evergreen tree prized for its glossy green leaves and large, fragrant white flowers. Growing to around 4–6 metres tall, it’s ideal for smaller gardens, screening, or feature planting. ‘Little Gem’ blooms from late spring to summer and offers year-round appeal with its dense foliage and tidy form.

Buy Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

From $41.33

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 6.00 m

Spread: 4.00 m

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White

Podocarpus gracilior (African Fern Pine)

Podocarpus gracilior (Fern Pine) is an elegant evergreen tree valued for its fine textured foliage, graceful form, and versatility in the landscape. Despite its common name, it is not a true pine but offers a similar evergreen presence with a softer and more refined appearance.

Buy Podocarpus gracilior (African Fern Pine)

From $270.40

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 20.00 m

Spread: 10.00 m

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Hedging, Parks, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Coastal, Formal, Mediterranean

Why Choose Evergreen Garden Trees?

Evergreen garden trees are prized for their ability to retain foliage throughout the year, providing structure and consistency even in winter. Unlike deciduous trees, evergreens offer reliable screening, wind protection, and shade without the seasonal leaf drop. They’re ideal for creating privacy hedges, shelterbelts, or establishing a permanent foundation in mixed garden beds. With New Zealand’s varying climates, evergreens are versatile—whether you have a coastal section, an urban courtyard, or a rural block.

Popular Evergreen Trees for New Zealand Gardens

There are many evergreen options for gardens, each with unique qualities to suit different spaces and styles.

Native Highlights

For those wishing to embrace local flora, consider the elegant Hoheria populnea, also known as Lacebark. Its glossy leaves and profusion of white flowers in summer make it a striking choice for home gardens.

Exotic Evergreens

If you favor unusual or dramatic foliage, the Daphniphyllum macropodum offers attractive, leathery leaves and a dense, rounded form. For grand landscapes, the mighty Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree) creates an impressive evergreen statement—and doubles as an educational specimen for children and visitors.

Mediterranean and Asian Classics

Mediterranean gardens often feature the robust Quercus ilex, or Holm Oak. This tree is known for its hardiness, drought tolerance, and handsome canopy, making it ideal for coastal planting. For small gardens and formal settings, the Fraxinus griffithii (Evergreen Ash) offers neat foliage and delicate white flowers, blending seamlessly into both contemporary and traditional landscapes.

How to Use Evergreen Garden Trees

Evergreen garden trees serve many purposes—screening unwanted views, defining boundaries, providing year-round shelter and shade, and adding architectural interest. Plant them as single specimens, in groves, or as part of mixed borders with shrubs and perennials. Their persistent foliage is especially valuable for urban gardens needing privacy or for rural settings where windbreaks are vital. Many evergreens also provide habitats for native birds, enriching your garden’s ecosystem.

Choosing and Caring for Evergreen Trees

When selecting evergreen garden trees, consider mature height, crown shape, and tolerance for your local conditions. Give each tree room to thrive, and ensure good drainage and regular watering while establishing. Prune for shape and maintenance as needed, and mulch generously to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Explore our collection of Hoheria populnea, Daphniphyllum macropodum, Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree), Quercus ilex, and Fraxinus griffithii (Evergreen Ash) to discover the perfect evergreen garden trees for your unique landscape.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

evergreen garden trees

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

Podocarpus gracilior (African Fern Pine)

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Why Choose Evergreen Garden Trees?